Impressive start to Australian season set to continue

A trio of progressive colts and an in-form, seasoned sprinter are among a strong team that will be out to continue Godolphin’s brilliant start to the new Australian season on Saturday, 25 August.

Head Australian trainer James Cummings and his team came out of last weekend’s racing with 11 city winners and goes into the fourth weekend of the season with several bright prospects.

Among them are Cloak and Aramayo who come off maiden wins at their last starts to tackle the G3 Ming Dynasty Stakes, Plague Stone who runs in the G3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill and Bandipur in the Listed Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley.

A strong piece of work this week has Cummings hopeful of a strong showing by Cloak.

“He seems to be going from strength-to-strength this preparation,” the trainer said.

“He was quick out first-up and really strong late second-up, and third-up this time over 1400m he should be right there where we need him to be.

“He looks nicely suited under the handicap conditions getting an advantage from a horse like Outrageous who is more seasoned and has achieved a fair bit more.”

“He galloped strongly at Osborne Park on Tuesday and he was sharp to the line."

“But he’s a real improver and it’s a good sign from an up-and-coming three-year-old.”

Aramayo won a midweek maiden at his last start.

“He had a good win at Canterbury last time and he’s trained strongly at Crown Lodge this week,” he said.

Cummings expects Plague Stone to improve on his last-start fourth in the Listed The Rosebud, a run that followed a first-up win at Randwick.

“Plague Stone’s training has been better leading up to the San Domenico than before the Rosebud.”

“He looks like he’s using himself more sensibly and he let down really powerfully. But I’m quite wary that he is up against much tougher opposition.”

At Moonee Valley, Bandipur is attempting his third successive win and his second at Listed level.

“Bandipur looks like he’s continued to train well since his past couple of wins and galloped strongly this morning,” Cummings said.

“The team in Melbourne are happy with him and he looks fantastic.

“He comes into this race with fitness on his side, but he’s certainly up against some classy opposition.”